Italy

Born on 26 May 1956 in Monza, Prof. Tranquillo Fregoni suffers from a congenital deformity of arms and legs, making him unable to use them. Despite his disability, he attended a primary and secondary school where he learned to write and paint with his mouth. He also attended one of the most well-known art colleges in Lombardy where he studied with the painter Gino Meloni. Furthermore, Tranquillo Fregoni attended a drawing and painting course at the Brera art academy in Milan. Upon completion of the course, he has conferred a diploma. At the young age of ten Tranquillo Fregoni was granted a scholarship by the Association. In 1983 he became a Full Member of the AMFPA.

Bruno Carati was born on 18 November 1941 in Milan. He suffered from spastic paralysis from birth. He started painting from the age of thirteen.  He acquired his knowledge of painting through private instructions in painting and art history. He was soon acknowledged by the biggest Italian and foreign daily papers. The national Italian TV station RAI was also interested in him and dedicated an entire episode of the program “Today is Sunday, too” (Anche oggi è Domenica) to him. As of 1956, the Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists gave him a scholarship and in 1961 he became a Full Member of the AMFPA. Since then many of his works have been part of international exhibitions sponsored by the AMFPA.

Born on 3 October 1948 in Livorno, Luigi Calloni was without arms by birth. He began painting at the age of twelve. He acquired the knowledge of painting by receiving mentorship from experienced painters from Livorno and by attending the Arts Academy in Ardenza. In 1977, Luigi Calloni had already received a scholarship from the association which allowed him to show his works to the public. An exhibition of his works was held in Munich. Furthermore, he had exhibitions in Italy, Switzerland and Austria.

Luca Bucchi was born on 16 June 1966 in Rome. In 1985 he was called up for military service and moved to Pisa, where he trained to become a paratrooper. An eventual accident resulted in the paralysis of his arms and legs which confined him to a wheelchair. From this time on, Luca Bucchi took refuge in a world of longing and of memories, which he continually commits to paper by writing and drawing. These new circumstances made him rediscover his passion for drawing. When a friend of the family and wife of the artist, Guerrino Collina learned about his passion for painting, she encouraged him to submit his works to the Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists worldwide. The Association found his works interesting and granted him a scholarship. This gave him an opportunity to improve his painting technique by attending painting courses at an art school in Rome. This is also the school where he earned the diploma for an “art teacher”.

Born on September 29, 1942, in Corte di Pieve di Sacco, Mario Cav. Barzon was completely paralysed by birth. At the age of 21, he began to paint as an autodidact. Furthermore, he took regular classes under the guidance of experienced teachers. He also wrote articles and stories for numerous newspapers. One year after his first attempts at painting, the Association granted him a scholarship. In 1992 he became a Full Member of the AMFPA. Besides being a painter he is also a successful writer.

Born on May 22, 1956, in Rovigo, Mario Barbujani was with paralyzed arms and deformed feet by birth. He began to learn the art of painting as an autodidact. With great will and passion, he has succeeded in going his own way, even if this path is paved with anguish difficulties as well as with both pleasant and sad events. They have shaped his character and his extremely individual way of expressing himself. His paintings show a world of fear and great hope. He mastered traditional Italian art – the tendency toward decorative, beautiful pictures – in its entirety. With his pictures, whose themes are, for the most part, his beloved figures, landscapes and flowers; Mario Barbujani sees the world without haste and, with the aid of details, understands what is important in life.